Atlantic Health Institute

ACCELERATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES, BOLD SOLUTIONS, AND IMPROVED PATIENT CARE

The Atlantic Health Institute is Horizon’s hub for research, innovation, and better health, turning evidence and ideas into practical solutions that enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and strengthen the health system for the future. By fostering strategic partnerships and creating opportunities for collaboration across sectors, the institute helps accelerate the development, evaluation, and adoption of innovative solutions that improve health and health care for the people of New Brunswick and beyond.

The institute brings together clinicians, researchers, academic institutions, industry partners, governments, and communities to address priority health challenges through patient-focused research, strategic partnerships, and the implementation of proven ideas that can make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

By connecting research directly to care delivery, the institute creates opportunities for patients to access new treatments, technologies, and models of care while helping providers improve quality, safety, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

Grounded in rigorous scientific standards, strong governance, structured evaluation, and real-world measurement of outcomes, the institute helps ensure innovation leads to tangible benefits for patients, providers, partners, and the health system.

The Atlantic Health Institute strengthens Horizon’s leadership in research and innovation and position New Brunswick as a recognized centre for health innovation, where evidence, collaboration, and bold thinking drive meaningful improvements in care and health outcomes.

Together, we are shaping the future of health care through research that puts people first.

A HUB FOR COLLABORATION AND HEALTH SYSTEM RENEWAL

The establishment of the institute is a key commitment within Horizon’s 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, advancing Horizon’s commitment to becoming a Trusted Partner in Research and Innovation. This work also aligns with the Provincial Health Plan.

It brings together previously separate research and innovation streams within Horizon into a coordinated model that connects clinical programs with multidisciplinary centres, teams and networks.

Through this integrated approach, the institute will:

Strengthen research operations by building efficient infrastructure, processes and support services to enable high-quality research
Embed research into clinical care and our learning health system to drive evidence-informed improvements
Deepen and grow partnerships with universities, foundations, industry, provincial organizations and other collaborations
Accelerate innovation by creating pathways to translate ideas into innovative solutions that improve patient care and health system performance
Accelerate real-world improvements in care through collaboration, cutting-edge research and technology
Attract new research funding, partnerships and health care talent to the province

Together, these efforts will modernize models of care and strengthen health outcomes for patients and providers across the system.

SHAPING THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE — TOGETHER

By connecting clinicians, researchers, and partners within Horizon and across the broader health sector, we’re building a stronger, more innovative health care system that delivers tangible benefits to New Brunswickers.

The institute is co-led by:

**Dr. Susan Brien,**
Senior Vice President of
Medical, Academic and Research Affairs

**Jennifer Sheils,**
Vice President Strategy, Transformation and Chief Innovation Officer (CIO)

**Dr. Paul Atkinson**,
Chief Scientific Officer

OUR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS

Plans to establish an institute were announced in late 2025, building on Horizon’s growing network of academic and industry partnerships that support research, innovation, and better health for patients and communities.

AHI builds on Horizon’s longstanding relationships with academic partners, including Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick and the University of New Brunswick, as well as partnerships with Abbvie, CAN Health, and the C.D. Howe Institute.

Horizon is proud of its status as a university hospital organization, with the Saint John Regional Hospital designated as our university hospital centre, and The Moncton Hospital, Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital and Miramichi Regional Hospital serving as university affiliated hospitals.

A university hospital centre is a hospital that is formally affiliated with a university or academic institution, promoting a culture and environment where clinical excellence, medical education and research can flourish.

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RESEARCH AND INNOVATION NEWS!

November 20, 2025

New Horizon institute aims to accelerate research and improve health outcomes in New Brunswick

Research institute announces first wave of partnerships with the University of New Brunswick and AbbVie (FREDERICTON) – Horizon Health Network (Horizon) is moving forward …

November 17, 2025

New Brunswick establishes comprehensive, province-wide biomarker testing program for Multiple Sclerosis patients

Province-wide partnership brings faster, more accessible innovative research testing method to patients living with MS (FREDERICTON) – New Brunswick is breaking new ground in Multiple …

November 3, 2025

Horizon and FirstHx partner to advance digital innovation in patient care and clinical research

Collaboration will help support patient-centred, data-informed approach to care delivery L-R: Dr. Chris O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer of FirstHx; Jennifer Sheils, Vice President Strategy, Transformation …

September 11, 2024

Horizon receives approval for ‘university hospital’ designations, strengthening regional collaboration in research and innovation to advance health care

From left, Dr. Julie Copeland, Senior Associate Dean, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick; Dr. Paul Atkinson, Professor Emergency Medicine, Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick/Horizon Health Network; …